Russian plane crash: Search intensifies after passenger jet vanishes in remote Amur region
A Russian passenger plane carrying 46 people, including two children, has disappeared in the vast and remote Amur region of eastern Russia, sparking a frantic rescue operation.
The twin-engine An-24 aircraft, operated by Angara Airlines, vanished shortly before it was due to land at Tynda airport. Authorities say it lost contact just a few kilometres from the runway.
“An An-24 aircraft of the Angara airline failed to contact the control point several kilometers from the Tynda airport,” a source told Russian state media.
The situation escalated quickly. Governor Vasily Orlov of the Amur Region confirmed the worrying development via Telegram, saying the plane was en route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda but “disappeared from radar today”.
“All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane,” he added.
The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations also weighed in, saying a team of rescuers has been mobilised to scour the rugged terrain surrounding the airport.
Initial reports suggest the aircraft may have run into trouble during its landing sequence. According to Interfax, it was on its second attempt to land when it went off the radar. The first landing approach was reportedly aborted.
Tynda lies more than 5,000 kilometres east of Moscow and is just a few hours from the Chinese border. The location’s remoteness and challenging terrain are expected to complicate rescue efforts.
This incident has echoes of a similar tragedy from September 2024. In that case, a Robinson R66 helicopter vanished during an unauthorised flight over the Zeya district, also in the Amur region, with three people aboard. That aircraft too remains missing.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the weather played a role in the current situation. No distress signals were reportedly received.
As of now, there is no confirmation on the fate of those on board.
The disappearance of the An-24 has sparked growing concern among aviation authorities and locals alike. With challenging weather conditions and vast forested areas, time is critical.
This is a developing story. Further updates will follow as search teams continue efforts through the night.
